Floods caused by torrential rains force evacuation of 200,000 people in Paraguay

ASUNCION, Paraguay – Floods caused by torrential rains have forced the evacuation of 200,000 people living near the Paraguay and Parana rivers.

The governor of the Paraguayan state of Neembucu says the rains have destroyed crops, flooded homes and blocked roads needed to supply food to more than 8,000 people in his state. Gov. Carlos Silva also said Friday that United Nations and Red Cross experts have evaluated the situation and he's hoping help from abroad will be sent soon.

Paraguay's National Emergency Secretariat says the government has spent more than $3 million in food to assist flood-hit families. Most of them are still evacuated and are seeking shelter higher ground in camps where they're sleeping on improvised tents.